The original Razer Kishi was one of the first mobile controllers to offer a double-sided control scheme, mirroring the Switch-esque layout that has since risen to the top of the market. The 2022 Kishi V2 takes that early formula, as well as a dollop of competitor inspiration, to create a lightweight, portable gamepad with a plethora of additional features.
At $99.99 / £99.99 this is a premium kit – especially considering the previous generation is regularly available for under $50 / £50. However, the jump to the latest model is significant, giving it the upgrade definitely worth it. We spent two weeks with the Razer Kishi V2, running it against some of the best mobile controllers in the game to see how it fares.
Important information
| Price | $99.99 / £99.99 |
| form factor | Wrap around |
| Platform | Android / iOS |
| Reassignable Buttons | 2 |
| Additional buttons | Screenshot, Menu, Options, Nexus Launcher |
| Charging pass-through | Yes |
| Software | Razer Nexus |
| Weight | 123g |
Razer Kishi V2 Design
The Razer Kishi V2 continues the same enveloping form factor of the original, but adds a bridge between each controller side, similar to that of the Backbone One. Designed for a range of Android and iPhone devices (although you’ll need to pick up the model made specifically for your OS), the bridge stretches nicely the full length of a range of phones and has plenty of room for screen protectors and thinner ones too. cases.
The USB-C connection feels solid and durable, and little tilt is needed to align the port and connector when installing a gaming phone. In fact, I never worried about scratching or wobbling in the port itself when inserting a phone, something that can’t be said for the clunky Backbone.
Each side of the controller is as you’d expect, with an asymmetrical layout consisting of a d-pad, two thumbsticks, face buttons and a series of additional function buttons. Each button is encased in glossy plastic, with a soft dome top that feels great under the hand.
The matte plastic material feels slightly cheaper than that used in other models, a factor not helped by the slightly hollow feel of the controller as a whole. While they’re lightweight for added portability, devices like the Backbone and GameSir X3 just feel a lot sturdier in the hands, lending themselves a little more to their price tags. Still, you get a bumpy texture down each leg, which is much appreciated in this setup, although I found myself wishing it was a little coarser to provide a better grip.
I was impressed with the way each side nestled neatly into my palm. Many brands choose to keep the footprint low by introducing rather sharp corners on the bottom of their main controllers. However, the Kishi V2 tapers down nicely over the course of about two inches to keep longer sessions comfortable while still offering that pocket-friendly form factor.
Razer Kishi V2 Features
Razer didn’t miss a trick here. The Kishi V2 is in line with all the expected features today and then some. The microswitch buttons work effortlessly to your advantage, offering tactile response and super-fast operation. They’re a dream in faster titles where a casual press might not mean the end of the world, but I found their miniscule travel distance a little too sensitive for more precise efforts.
You’ll find the same click switches in the top bumpers, and the screenshot, options, menu, and Razer Nexus launch buttons are also scattered across the face. One of the biggest wins, however, is the extra M1 and M2 buttons next to the triggers. These programmable macro clickers can be configured for any available input on the controller, via the Razer Nexus app, and are located a nice distance from the main triggers, so as not to get in the way.
The Kishi V2 is powered entirely by your smartphone, connected via a USB-C connection. I didn’t notice too much battery drain on a Black Shark 5 Pro from this extra question, but you can also charge through a passthrough port under the appropriate controller. Unfortunately, this is a slow charge that didn’t quite manage to charge my gas-guzzling Black Shark 5 Pro during more intense sessions. However, a less demanding phone is likely to see a nice improvement here. Another nagging frustration is the lack of audio output, meaning you’re limited to a wireless gaming headset or gaming earbuds if you don’t want to play out loud.
The Razer Nexus software is a bit limited compared to other phone or PC programs. It does, however, provide a neat space to keep all your compatible games close at hand and customize the button mapping at the top. The recordings and screenshots that you make with the handy extra button are also housed here. It’s a swish app, but for the game library itself. While featured games and libraries are crisp and quick to navigate, Nexus simply seems to blow up an app icon for the games you already have installed, pixelating everything to within an inch of its life. Unfortunately, this is the face that greets you at startup.
Razer Kishi V2 Achievements
The Razer Kishi V2 feels great in-game. Triggers are responsive and face buttons are snappy (although, as mentioned above, precision can sometimes be sacrificed for speed). That said, these are bigger knobs than I’m used to, so here’s some balancing at work. Many complaints made to the original model stem from a mushy feeling with every click. While the face buttons may go too far in the other direction for my taste, the d-pad strikes a wonderful balance.
The mechanical clickers at work here feel super fresh and clean, while also still providing a nice range of diagonal movement. I navigated the worlds of Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas with ease, tiptoeing over ledges, even when switching from the analog stick.
Not that I often strayed too far from the thumbsticks. With a nice resistance, quick return and a smooth rotation, there is little to fault here. In-game, even the slightest vibration would be reflected nicely on the screen, and the Switch-esque tops also stayed comfortable without slipping over longer sessions.
The Kishi V2 also works with a solid lineup of games, including streaming services from Xbox and Steam. There are a few more big names on the roster here though – Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact are still not controller compatible and you can only use PlayStation Remote Play with the iOS version. I spent most of my hours wandering around Stardew Valley, exploring the Oceanhorn hills, and chipping away at Minecraft.
Should you buy the Razer Kishi V2?
The Razer Kishi V2 is an excellent gamepad if you’re looking for something more portable than the GameSir X3. If you’re looking for that Backbone One experience on Android, it’s a no-brainer, with a comfortable and secure bridge design, extra macro buttons, and a slim profile to boot. However, if you’re looking for an iOS solution, we recommend sticking with the Backbone. The Razer Nexus software can’t shed any light on the all-in-one experience on offer, and while the buttons and d-pad are a little more tactile under the thumb, there’s much better software support elsewhere.
How we tested the Razer Kishi V2
I used the Razer Kishi V2 for all my mobile gaming for two weeks, playing Oceanhorn, Minecraft, Dead Cells and Stardew Valley on a Black Shark 5 Pro and RedMagic 7S Pro. I also used the Razer Kishi V2 alongside the GameSir X3 and Backbone One for comparison within this price range.
You can learn more about how we test controllers and make all our recommendations in our full GameMe+ Hardware Policy.
We also round all best pc controllers if you are looking for something more substantial, as well as the best Xbox Series X controllers and Xbox One controllers also.
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